And that will ensure a miserable experience on the job. If career satisfaction isn’t important, that’s one thing, but interviews are a two-way street. The applicant should also be assessing whether the position/company is right for him/her.
Correct. I just finished an 18 months on and off employment consideration with a company that reached out to me. I've talked on the phone with them about 6 times (3 official interviews). We only a months ago decided it wasn't going to work in the short term, even though I was "the perfect candidate" they were looking to groom for a top executive position 5 to 7 years down the road. In the end, on both sides, the risk was too high for the reward. I would insist on more than they wanted to pay for at least the first 2 years. If I'd have rolled the dice and it didn't work, I would be unemployed in a different city with a family to support and no income. We couldn't agree on the starting compensation package on the bet I'd be exactly what they hoped.
The unsaid component is that I was suspicious of the character that I would be working for. He "had a lot to teach the person that they hire". He had more degrees than a thermometer and told me more about himself than he asked of myself. He also did not fit the type of person the company claimed about his position. So my risk calculation was in part based on what kind of a fit it would be for me and them.
I should have elaborated a bit more - if it came down to just two candidates and they’re meeting with the boss and if one candidate answered “2” and the other one said “whatever you want it to be” guess who’d get the job? Basically the second candidate “knows” who’s the boss and what he says goes.
I’ve been a job seeker, and I’ve been a recruiter in 10+ billion dollar organization.
There are aholes everywheres, you cannot avoid them. Deal with them.
Your point is key, by posting an opening a company is saying they have a need, and by interviewing you they tacitly agree that you might be a good fit for the job. Recruiters dont waste time on meaningless interviews (save the courtesy interviews their bosses make them do).
A interviewee needs to be confident and ready to explain how their experience fits with the organization they are interviewing (do your homework).
Also, do some research on behavioral interviewing. If so, you’’ll have a pretty good idea of what questions are coming.